Inextricable link between handwriting and the brain

This link between handwriting and the brain is important both for the forensic handwriting examiner who examines questioned writing, and the handwriting analyst who analyses personality through handwriting. There are unconscious, involuntary movements made by the hand, based on neuro-physiological dynamics at the time of writing.

In forensic handwriting examination, should fraud be being committed, the handwriting is affected by the neuro-physiological impact of feelings of guilt because the fraudster knows that he or she is doing wrong. The forensic handwriting examiner is able to pick up the micro signals in the handwriting that the handwriting is not genuine.

The link between handwriting and the brain

The writer is entirely unaware of these signals in the handwriting, but the seasoned forensic handwriting examiner, will recognise these with the aid of good magnification of the line quality.

On the other hand, the handwriting analyst assessing handwriting for personality, and mood, could discern signs of depression, suicide, violence etc in handwriting, in other words, the state of mind of the writer. The handwriting analyst is trained to recognise clusters of handwriting features which suggest the state of mind of the writer.

As more and more studies examining the neuro-physiological link to handwriting continues, so the body of research supporting the link between the brain and handwriting continues to grow. And so too the significance for both forensic handwriting examiners and handwriting analysts for the need to remain abreast of the growing body of evidence.